Yudhoyono said he wanted the Merpati and Elnusa cases settled transparently so that the truth would be obvious to the public.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has given the green light to the State Audit Board (BPK) to check and audit problematic state firms, including PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines and PT Elnusa Tbk.

The President was responding to the statement by BPK Chief Hadi Purnomo who came to the State Palace on Wednesday to report the results of the agency`s audit of the central government`s financial statement. Hadi Purnomo said the agency had prepared steps to follow up on Merpati and Elnusa cases.

"I really ask the BPK leadership to conduct an in-depth audit (of Merpati and Elnusa). Do it as transparently as possible so the people can follow it. Don`t let more and more suspicion continue in this country," the President said.

Moreover, public suspicion could easily turn into a political fuss after certain quarters had added comments to it, he said.

Yudhoyono said he wanted the Merpati and Elnusa cases settled transparently so that the truth would be obvious to the public.

"I want something clear. Please check the cases. If irregularities are found, say there has been corruption. But if irregularities are not found, for the sake of truth and justice, say there has been no corruption," he said.

Merpati Nusantara has been under the spotlight after its MA60 airplane crashed in Kaimana, West Papua, last month, killing all 27 people on board.

The deadly crash prompted the House of Representatives (DPR) to urge the government to set up a special committee to probe it amidst concern about the quality of the plane.

DPR Deputy Speaker Priyo Budi Santoso said last month the transportation minister, state enterprises minister and finance minister and relevant parties must explain the purchase of the plane.

Meanwhile, the Elnusa case surrounds the alleged disappearance of up to Rp111 billion from its deposit account at Bank Mega`s Jababeka branch.

Hadi Purnomo said the BPK was in the process of collecting data to audit Merpati`s and Elnusa`s financial statements. So far the agency had received no request from the DPR to conduct the audit.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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